What is Amnesty International?
Do I have to agree with all of Amnesty’s viewpoints/campaigns to be a member?
Does UGA Amnesty have a Facebook Group?
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What is Amnesty International?
-A global organization with over 1.8 million members in over 150 countries
-Researches and acts to prevent and end grave abuses of human rights in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other international documents, especially:
-Right to physical and mental integrity
-Freedom of conscience and expression
-Freedom from discrimination
-Right of fair and prompt trial for prisoners of conscience (those punished only for their non-violent religious or political beliefs and expression)
-Not aligned with any government, political persuasion or religion
-Works to educate people about and mobilize support for human rights
-Financed by donations from worldwide membership
-Created in 1961 - since then over 40,000 prisoners have been released, plus many pieces of legislation passed and other such successes.
What does UGA Amnesty do?
-Students and non-students participate
-Plans educational and awareness-raising events including:
-Weekly meetings
-Letter writing
-Film screenings
-Guest speakers
-Informational tables
-Public demonstrations/vigils
-Fundraising (concerts, fair trade sales, etc.)
-Group get-togethers with human rights themes
Why do you write letters?
-AI was founded on letter-writing and it has remained central to the organization’s activities all over the world
-We write appeals for particular prisoners and for broader issues (like women’s rights, child soldiers, etc.)
-Letter-writing is effective.
- UGA Amnesty has worked on a number of the successful campaigns that have led to prisoners being released.
-Letter-writing makes abusive governments realize that the international community is aware of their human rights abuses - they often respond by improving their human rights records.
Who do you write letters to?
-Governments that violate human rights
-Our government to suggest ways to protect human rights and alleviate international human rights issues
-Prisoners of conscience to let them know we are thinking of them and working to help free them
Are there any dues?
-No dues to join UGA Amnesty
-Optional: If you want to join Amnesty Int’l USA, student dues are $15. See www.amnestyusa.org for more info.
Do I have to agree with all of Amnesty’s viewpoints/campaigns to be a member?
-No. You can choose to participate in whichever activities/campaigns interest you, though we encourage everyone to keep an open mind on unfamiliar issues.
How can I get involved?
-Sign up for our listserv
-Come to any of our weekly meetings and/or outside events
-Visit these websites to find out more:
Does UGA Amnesty have a Facebook Group?
Yes!!!
1. Sign into your Facebook Account
2. Either click HERE search for "Amnesty International" under the UGA network.
